These Holiday Appetizers Are the Most Delicious Way to Get the Party Started

Tender shrimp, fiery serrano chiles, and plenty of fresh lime juice and cilantro take this creamy dip to the next level. A crunchy panko topping is the perfect finishing touch.

Classic for a reason. What's a holiday gathering without deviled eggs? In fact, you could make the menu all deviled eggs and offer all our delicious variations.

Here's a secret: You don't have to spend a fortune on cheese. Just heat Camembert, or another inexpensive triple cream like Brie, right in its box until melting. Set it out with crostini and a mixture of finely chopped bacon, rosemary, and pine nuts for sprinkling onto each gooey dollop.

For those occasions when you need a hot appetizer, we suggest these half-pork, half-chorizo meatballs. Serve them alongside plenty of crusty bread to sop up all of the delicious citrus-spiked tomato gravy.

Here's a quick, easy, and sophisticated spread: tangy crème fraîche unites poached and smoked salmon for the perfect topping to crisp crackers.

When you want to prepare an impressive but oh-so-easy appetizer, this four-ingredient wonder is exactly what you need. Coriander seeds are toasted in olive oil until fragrant, then tossed with olives and bay leaves.

This snackable form of the perennial favorite pasta dish is sure to be a hit at any party. Make the stove-top mac and cheese a few days ahead so it can firm up in the refrigerator, then wow your family with this irresistible bite.

Here's a Martha-level appetizer spread that's sure to delight. It's a feast of raw and steamed vegetables, hard-cooked eggs, and chilled seafood served with a side of jarred mayonnaise doctored with anchovies and oil-packed tuna, as well as a vegan avocado-based green-goddess dip.

Both exquisite and easy, the rich combination of chicken livers and butter is beautifully complemented by sweet-tart raspberry jelly in this chic appetizer.

These twisty hors d'oeuvres just keep on giving: Everyone loves them, they are easy to eat out of hand, and they pair well with practically any drink. Another bonus: They're easy to make using store-bought puff pastry.

A fancy three-ingredient appetizer, steamed fingerling potatoes topped with mascarpone and wild salmon roe make a more affordable and totally delicious take on the traditional caviar and potato-pairing.

Consider this a new take on a classic: It's essentially a more inspired take on caramelized onion dip. Like it's inspiration, it's sure to be the first thing to go at a party.

Just two ingredients are all you need for this super easy but sophisticated hors d'oeuvre. Make them for a last-minute get together or a more formal soirée.

This chèvre tart is like a cheese plate in a single bite, with luscious dates, briny olives, and pickled chiles, all cradled in a buttery pastry shell.